Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-21
WHERE LIFE IS CHEAP.
A BRILLIANT RECORD FOR A LAW
AND ORDER PEOPLE.

Criminal Statistics from the Wild Western
Bortler--Fourteen officials Shot to Death
While Trying to Prove This Country Civ
ilized-A Few Women Among the Slaugh-
tered-A Field for Reform.
FoRT SMITH, Ark, Dec 2l-It is the pre-
vailing opinion out here on the border that
the increase of lawlessness in Indian terri
tory will induce congress at its present ses-
sion to open that country to settlement, or at
least make an effort to do so. As 1t now is
the government is at an enormous expense in
its endeavors to enforce the laws in that be-
nighted country, and yet eight criminals out
of every ten are never brought to justice.
The present United States marshal for the
western district of Arkansas has held the
office since Oct 80 1855, and during that
time has had nine deputy marshals, two
posses, and three guards murdered while in
the discharge of their official du-
ties, as follows: Jack E. Rich.
ardsou. murdered by Bill Pigeon,
a Cherokee, who is still at large. William
Irwin, way laid and murdered in the Choc
taw nation by Jack Spaniard and Frank
Palmer, for the purpose of rescuing prison
er he had in charge Both at large F. NJ.
Sweden, murdered in Choctaw nation by
unknown parties who will probably never
be known. Sam Sixkiller. murdered at
Muskogee, Greek nation, by Dick Vann and
ALI Cunningham. The government paid 500
for the arrest of the latter, but he broke down
the jurisdiction of the court here, and was
turned over to the Creek authorities, who al
lnua1 him to asf.a M hsfnra trial and ha il
still at large Vann was killed short
time ago by Deputy Marshal Ellis.
Capt William Fields was murdered in
the Greek nation by Bill Cunires
who was captured and died in jail before has
his trial. Deputy Dan Naples was murdered
at Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee ma
ton. Ned Christie, Charlie Bobtail, Bud
Trainer and John Parish are charged with
this deed and the three latter are in jail here,
while Christie is at large. Deputy John
Carlton was murdered at Denison, Tex, by
a lawess negro from the territory, who is
now in Jail at Sherman Deputy Frank Dali
! ton was murdered in the Cherokee nation by
| Dave Smith, viii Towerly and Lee Dixon.
Dave Smith was killed by Deputy Cole at
| the same time he killed Dalton.
Dixon was wounded by Cole, and
is now in Jail here recovering. Towerly
escaped and one week later killed Deputy Ed
Stockery, and was himself killed by his victim
and the posse he had with him The wife Of
Dixon was killed in the melee with Dalton,
and Deputy Cole was wounded Towerly
acknowledged beforel he died that he and
Smith had for some time been engaged in
horse-stealing He was killed in his fathers
yard in the presence of his mother and
sister. He was but 10 years old.
Ben Impson, posse OF Deputy Lawrence, was
killed by citizen of the territory, and
being himself ctizsn this court had no
jurisdiction in the casa, hence he has never
been molested. William Smith, posse, John
Kelly and Mark Kuykendall, guards, were
murdered in the Greek country, by Seaborn
Green, young Indian, who was arrested,
convicted and hanged for the crime Henry
Miller, guard, was murdered by Big
Chewe, a Cherokee, but as Miller was t
citizen of the Cherokee nation also, Chew,
was turned over to that government and G
jury acquitted him.
Thus far it will be seen that only one of the
murderers of United States officers in Indian
territory has been punished under the lew
and that was Seaborn Green. There is
standing reward by the government Of $50
each for the arrest OF all murderers OF dep
uty United States marshals, posse or guard
who are still alive and at large, except thoss
over whom the United States court has nj
jurisdiction. All the deputies murdered
were good, honest, upright citizens.
This state Of things will continue so long a
congress allows the territory to remain as i
is, and the determination of deputy marshall
will, continue with undated vigor, whils
murder rapine, and all manner of crime
will increase so long as outlaws from tn
states can find a safe abiding-p place amonl
the Indians